Top Business Priorities – B-2-B Networking

Business-to-business networking can be one of the most enjoyable approaches to growing your business. Why? Most B-2-B Networking is conducted during business hours. You don’t have to prospect after hours or on weekends. Let’s also say that you’re concerned about the do-not-call list. Phone prospecting with businesses can be the solution because businesses cannot be on the do-not-call list.

So how do you B-2-B Network? Follow these simple steps:

1. Who do you contact? Make a list of businesses you would like to visit of call. These can include retail shops, restaurants and local professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, business owners, and the list goes on and on.

2. What do you talk about or share? Identify interesting information such as a year-end report or article about local real estate and make enough copies to pass out or mail to merchants and professionals you meet. Keep in mind, this group is directly impacted by the real estate industry. The stronger the real estate market is, the more money they make. Also, most business professionals own their homes. If prices are rising, they feel better about their financial situation.

3.  How do you meet business professionals? Hit the streets or pick up the phone anytime Monday-Friday from 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. The best times for business prospecting are usually early in the morning or at the end of the day. (It can get a little hectic in the middle of the day, especially if a business owner or professional gets behind).

4. What do you say?  Introduce yourself and offer to share any information about real estate that may affect their business or real estate values. Let them know you do extensive research and if you happen to see anything they should be aware of, you would be happy to share it with them. Ask them for their best email address and put them on a 24-touch annual communication campaign.

You’ll be surprised at how receptive this group is, and at how many good prospects you get from contacting this group. Best of all, you can start immediately! Remember, you’re taking the shots! For every 100 people you meet and talk to, 5-10 will be buying or selling this year.